to prove Cooper's innocence. Having once been enemies, Maxie and Spinelli become close, and Spinelli develops a crush on Maxie. They are successful in their mission, proving Cooper was killed by Diego Alcazar (Ignacio Serricchio), who also murdered Georgie. Maxie gets a job as Kate Howard (Megan Ward)'s assistant. She is soon joined by Lulu, and starts to hit on Lulu's boyfriend Johnny Zacchara (Brandon Barash) to make her jealous. Logan begins stalking Lulu, upset about their breakup. He blames Maxie for what happened, and attacks her at the Crimson office. Lulu witnesses this, and Logan comes after her. Lulu accidentally stabs him to death in self-defense. Johnny takes the blame to protect Lulu. Lulu slowly starts to break down and is admitted to a mental institution. Maxie visits her, and they slowly become friends. After Lulu is released, she and Maxie move into an apartment together. 2009–2011 Maxie becomes friends with Spinelli, and starts to slowly fall for him, despite Mac objecting and her own uncertainty. She also flirts with Johnny, but the two never establish a relationship. Maxie eventually starts dating Spinelli. He proposes just as they become exclusive, and Maxie accepts, despite her hesitation. Spinelli finds out Maxie's feelings, and declares he will not marry her at their wedding ceremony. The two agree to take their relationship slowly, calling off the wedding. Maxie helps set up an art show for the artist Franco (James Franco), on behalf of Crimson. The two end up sleeping together, and Maxie immediately regrets it. She starts avoiding her family and Spinelli, unable to deal with her guilt. Eventually, Spinelli finds out, and says he can forgive Maxie, but their relationship remains strained. Hoping to reignite their romance, Spinelli sets up a fake case for Maxie to help him with, but the plan goes awry, and they end up trapped, with Spinelli injured and Maxie suffering from hypothermia. When they're finally taken to the hospital, Maxie finds out she has pneumonia, and it's putting a strain on her heart. Fortunately, she recovers, but Spinelli remains guilt-ridden. When Maxie feels ignored by Spinelli, she tries to get his attention back by staging a kiss with Matt Hunter (Jason Cook) so that Spinelli will fight for her. Instead, he breaks up with Maxie. Matt and Maxie begin to casually date, choosing not to be exclusive. 2012–2013 Spinelli still cares for Maxie, and gets shot